The run-up to Christmas is renowned for being a bit of a stressful time – work deadlines to meet, shopping to do, budgets to juggle – it’s no wonder that by the time December 25th arrives, most of us are feeling pretty frazzled!

But you can breeze through this challenging and often physically demanding period and still have some energy in reserve for New Year – here’s how to survive the season:

Avoid stimulants such as nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and refined sugar – at least in the build-up to Christmas, if not on the day. According to The Stress Management Society, these will not calm you down. Instead, reach for water or camomile tea, especially if you’re stressed.

According to a recent survey, incredibly a quarter of Brits are surviving on only 4 hours or less uninterrupted sleep a night! If you find it hard to nod off when stressed, sleep expert Dr Neil Stanley’s suggests creating a bedtime routine which is important in order to wind-down for 30-45 minutes before you hit the sack. He also recommends avoiding eating a heavy meal close to bedtime as dietary changes can cause an upset in your sleep patterns.

If you’re a bit of a worrier, promote safe slumber with Bonuit Sleep Aid, £9.99, a traditional herbal medicine combining Valerian with Passion Flower that can help sleep disturbances due to symptoms of mild anxiety. Available from Holland & Barrett and http://www.bonuit.co.uk.